Rory McIlroy verses the final three holes and narrows it down within the cut line predicted in the second round of the Houston Open as world number one Scottie Scheffler opened a one-shot lead on course record 62.
Schaeffler sets the pace to move 8 birdies and bogies below 11 for the tournament, enjoying the best initial conditions at Memorial Park before thunderstorms meant a halt.
Canada’s Taylor Pendris is a shotback under the 10 along with Colombia’s Nico Ecavalia. He was nine that day, but on the 17th he faced a chip from the edge of the green and saves par when Bad Wright stopped playing.
McIlroy had a 66 card to finish at 4 under that day and in the tournament, while England’s Danny Willett and Matt Wallace were both 2 under, one shot outside the current predicted cut line.
They are scheduled to resume at 13:30 GMT on Saturday to see if they will play on the weekend.
However, McIlroy had no such concern after sinking a series of smart putts into his late run birdie.
The Northern Irish player’s round was suspended for two hours as a thunderstorm passed, with darkness falling at his end.
It was an improvement in the Levelper opening round he described as “pedestrian,” but he still slipped further from his seven-shot pace behind leader Schaeffler.
“I stopped a few putts,” McIlroy said. “That was it. It was good to see some putts in and finish.
“It was a bit dangerous at the end. I’m happy to finish the round like I did.”
Meanwhile, Schaeffler posted his best round since returning from a hand injury while cooking at Christmas.
He remains bogeyless for the first 36 holes and charges in front after warming up to defend his US Masters title in April and building at the opening 3-under 67.
“It was important that I remained patient there,” Schaeffler said. “It’s great to get off to a good start, hold on momentum and keep the cards clean.”
